Hello all, I was going through an old shoe box and came across a box of coins that I was given as a kid. Most are just foreign coins from the 50s & 60s but these two are really old. I've tried to figure out where they are from. They're a part of my childhood and I'm not looking to sell them. I'm just curious. I've had them now since the late 80s. The first is still in decent shape although there's a hole from when I assume it became a necklace. The second is really worn. There is someone's silhouette on the front. On the back I can just barely make out what I think may be an eagle but it could be an amoeba for all I know. Questions: What part of the world are these from? Are they real? Who old are they? I don't plan to sell unless I can retire on the proceeds. I'm guessing that means I'll be keeping them.
The first one looks to be Byzantine and the 2nd looks to be Greek. I'm going to work more on ID'ing them but I'm sure someone way better than me will be able to beat me to it
Welcome, Gray Ghost! As FurryFrog said, the first is Byzantine. I'm not very fluent with Byzantines but your coin looks similar to this follis of Romanus I Lacapenus. There's something not quite right about your coin to my eyes but I'm not an expert. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of Byzantines will weigh in on the ID and authenticity. @Quant.Geek, @Valentinian... what do you think? Cropped and joined images of your coin: Similar to this coin: Sear: 1760 DOC: vol.I.pl.,25 Ruler: Romanus I Lacapenus (920-944) Metal: AE Denomination: Follis Mint: Constantinople Description: Romanus I Lacapenus. AE Follis. Constantinople mint. AV: RWMAN bASILEVS RWM Emperor, crowned, bearded, facing bust of Romanus, wearing chlamys, holding labarum and cross on globe. RV: RWMA - N EN QEW bA - SILEVS RW - MAIWN DOC vol.I.pl.,25 Avers: RWMAN bASILEVS RWM Avers description: Emperor, crowned, bearded, facing bust of Romanus, wearing chlamys, holding labarum and cross on globe. Revers: RWMA - N EN QEW bA - SILEVS RW - MAIWN
I was thinking it looked a bit like this: Romanus I. AE Follis. 913-959 AD. Constantinople. RWMAN bASILEVS RWM, crowned, bearded, facing bust of Romanus, wearing chlamys, holding labarum and cross on globe RWMA-N EN QEW bA-SILEVS RW-MAIWN, legend in four lines.
Also as FurryFrog determined, the second coin is "Greek". What is the size? This one may be difficult to pin down because of the wear and because of the ubiquity of Zeus and eagles on ancient coins. Your images, edited for ease of viewing: Without knowing the size of yours, here's a possibility: KINGS OF GALATIA. Deiotaros (Circa 63-59/8 BC). Ae. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right. Rev: Eagle, with head right and wings spread, standing left on thunderbolt; monogram to left. SNG von Aulock 6099-6100; HGC 7, 775. Condition: Very fine. Weight: 6.07 g. Diameter: 20 mm. https://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=5717&category=189189&lot=4776657
Welcome to the party! The byzantine coin looks "soapy" to me. Meaning it may not be ancient but rather a modern forgery. Though the fun looking Greek Egyptian coin appears to have Zeus on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse.
The Greek coin is almost exactly the diameter of a modern dime with a penny's thickness. That's the best I can offer as I don't have a ruler handy. I feel the same about the "soapy" one but I don't know why. I'm not an expert by any stretch but I'm sure fakes have been sold for decades all over Europe to unsuspecting tourists. The guy who gave these to me was stationed over there in the 70s so I'm assuming that's where he got them. I actually have a 3rd one as well. I didn't post it originally because it is so worn. I just added a photo of it. Given the wear, I sense this one might be more authentic than the other Byzantine one. Two more questions: 1) If they're real, are these things valuable? I'm assuming not given how many coins must be out there. Asking because a) I plan to give them to my 7 year old daughter if they are just curiosities and b) if they are valuable (which I doubt) I'll put them in our safe and add them to my homeowners. 2) Is it a major faux pas to clean the one I've just posted that is so heavily oxidized? If these aren't valuable, I'm inclined to do so just to see if I can get a better view of the head side of the coin. These have piqued my interest.
That is another Byzantine. I can't tell what the obverse is for sure but I'm assuming it is Jesus Christ. I will be able to look more later. As for the value: I think you would be safe giving them to your daughter. I've purchased nicer looking coins than the ones you have posted for less than $10. I'm not sure the best way to clean the one you just posted or if you would get it to a better state if you do. I will wait for others to chime in.
